Chapter 9: Friendly Reminder
Translated by Addis of Exiled Rebels Scanlations
Editor: Karai
The man who had just been in a sorry state on the ground climbed up with a grunt. He jumped from the high platform to Jiang Rong’s side and immediately extended his sweaty hand, “I’m Wang Chenggang, the owner of Chenggang Fitness Center. Welcome, welcome.”
Jiang Rong glanced at Wang Chenggang, but before he could speak, a fresh trace of blood slowly dripped from Wang Chenggang’s hair. Jiang Rong was dumbfounded, and he quickly reminded, “You’re bleeding.”
Wang Chenggang chuckled twice and then reached up to touch his forehead. The tiny streak of blood was wiped away by him, turning into a band of blood. “It’s nothing, just a scratch. I’ll go clean up first, you take a look at our gym.”
With that, Wang Chenggang walked away, and Jiang Rong clearly heard his complaint, “It’s been too long since I played with knives, my hands are out of practice.”
As soon as Wang Chenggang left, several men who had been standing beside the ring actually went to busy themselves elsewhere. Jiang Rong stood there somewhat dazed: Was no one coming to greet him? Don’t they want to make a sale? Don’t they want to sign up new members?
At this moment, the man who had been knocked down by Wang Chenggang walked past Jiang Rong, drinking water. When he reached the door, he casually pulled the dagger nailed to the door panel. The sharp knife drew a beautiful arc in the man’s hand, and the next moment it flew up and landed squarely on the target hanging on the wall.
“Thunk,” the knife hit the bullseye.
Jiang Rong’s gaze involuntarily fell on this man. He had seen many handsome men before, but this man could be considered outstanding among them.
The men in the gym usually had crew cuts or buzz cuts, but this man had a 4:6 hairstyle, with the sweat-dampened bangs scattered over his sword-like eyebrows. His eyes were deep and spirited, and his facial features were very distinct.
At first sight of him, Jiang Rong thought of a certain movie star, but he exuded a more restrained vibe than the movie star. A man like him would surely attract a lot of attention if he walked out.
Perhaps Jiang Rong’s gaze was too obvious; the man turned to look at him. Meeting eyes, Jiang Rong awkwardly withdrew his gaze. Putting himself in the other’s shoes, he didn’t want to be scrutinized so openly by someone.
After spending a moment in the room, Jiang Rong stepped out. With no one to greet him, his eyes fell on the peculiarly shaped fitness equipment. As someone who didn’t often exercise, seeing these machines made him want to try them out.
He quickly chose one that looked like it was for the arms. Just as he began to exert himself, a deep voice came from beside him, “You’re exerting force incorrectly.”
Jiang Rong paused, turning to see that it was none other than the man who had knocked down Wang Chenggang. The man stared at Jiang Rong. “This is an apparatus for exercising the back muscles. You haven’t adjusted the weight properly, and your exertion posture is wrong. Keep your waist straight, and your arms should be raised horizontally…”
With the man’s guidance, Jiang Rong carefully adjusted his posture. But it was clear his experience was lacking, and a hint of helplessness appeared in the man’s eyes.
After a while, the man seemed unable to bear Jiang Rong’s dullness. He pondered, “Do you mind if I help you adjust your posture?”
Jiang Rong felt embarrassed. “Thank you.” As soon as he spoke, the man gently pulled his arms from under him, “Keep your arms at this height, open your chest.”
Then, his waist and back were gently supported by a hand. “Keep your waist straight.” The man’s strength was gentle, as if Jiang Rong was fragile.
Bending down behind him, the man tinkered with something. Jiang Rong tensed his body, not daring to move. Soon the man stood up straight again. “You can exert force now, give it a try.”
Once again, Jiang Rong felt the pulling force from the machine, feeling his back muscles being stretched. He looked at the man in surprise, a glimmer of joy in his eyes. “I feel it!”
The man stared at Jiang Rong for a while, the curve of his lips deepening. “Remember this feeling; this is the correct way to exert force. If you feel the resistance is too light, you can adjust the weight behind.”
After practicing a few times, Jiang Rong felt it wasn’t bad. So he increased his speed. But before he could do it a few times, he heard the man say, “Don’t go so fast, maintain a steady force. And next time you come to exercise, remember to wear sportswear.”
Hearing this, Jiang Rong smiled apologetically. He hadn’t expected to start right away today, and the shirt he was wearing wasn’t suitable for exercise. If he wanted to exercise, he should choose a sweat-absorbent and elastic shirt.
Seeing Jiang Rong slow down, the man nodded slightly. “Very good, keep it up like this.”
Jiang Rong felt quite satisfied with this gym. Unlike other gyms, where someone would immediately try to sell packages and discounts as soon as you touched the equipment, here was different. He turned to look at the man and could see his well-built waist and abdomen from this angle. So he tentatively asked, “Excuse me, if I want to train to your level, what muscles should I focus on?”
The man paused for a moment, then turned his head slightly and pondered for a moment. “I don’t often use machines, but I think if you want to train your body well, you need to strengthen your core muscles.”
With that, the man detailed to Jiang Rong what core strength was and what kind of equipment should be used to exercise the muscles between the waist and abdomen. Jiang Rong followed his explanation and almost tried out all the equipment outside. This made Jiang Rong more certain of the man’s identity – he must be the most capable trainer in this gym.
After going through it with the man, Jiang Rong was very satisfied with this gym. So he introduced himself formally, “Um, my name is Jiang Rong.”
The man nodded, “Guan Shao.”
After their conversation ended, the two looked at each other. Jiang Rong was waiting for Guan Shao to sell him a package, while Guan Shao remained silent for a moment before asking, “What’s wrong? Do you have any other questions?”
Jiang Rong scratched his cheek. “Do you offer short-term training packages? I’m a bit short on time and would like to learn the correct exercise methods.”
Guan Shao: …
Seeing Guan Shao’s strange expression, Jiang Rong suddenly thought of a possibility. “Could it be that you’re not a fitness coach?”
Guan Shao confessed honestly, “I’m a friend of the boss. I happen to be in C City these days and came to see him.”
Jiang Rong’s face suddenly turned red. He quickly climbed off the gym equipment and apologized repeatedly, “I mistook you for a fitness coach. I’m sorry!”
Guan Shao chuckled, “It’s okay, I’m free anyway.” After a pause, he added, “Actually, it doesn’t make much sense for someone like you to get a package. If you just want to learn the correct exercise methods, you can practice at home.”
Jiang Rong perked up his ears, “How do I practice?”
Guan Shao must be a fitness enthusiast. He then recommended many basic exercise books to Jiang Rong. This made Jiang Rong’s eyes shine. If it were someone else recommending these, he might not believe it, but seeing Guan Shao’s physique, he began to believe: as long as he followed Guan Shao’s advice, someday he could also achieve Guan Shao’s physique.
Guan Shao was a kind-hearted person. Jiang Rong hadn’t met someone so straightforward and enthusiastic in a long time. After jotting down the books and DVDs Guan Shao recommended, Jiang Rong decided to give Guan Shao a reminder, “Mr. Guan.”
Guan Shao began to gulp down water from his water bottle. Upon hearing Jiang Rong’s words, he put down the water bottle, “Hmm?”
Jiang Rong said seriously, “Thank you for telling me so much useful knowledge. I also want to tell you something: stock up on supplies, food, necessities, and medicine. Buy some extra and keep them at home. It’s not a bad idea.”
Guan Shao widened his eyes in surprise. Seeing Jiang Rong’s serious expression, not like he was joking, he nodded after a moment of silence. “I see, thank you for the reminder.”
Jiang Rong breathed a sigh of relief. But looking at Guan Shao’s physique, he was sure he could withstand the Great Crisis. Such a strong person might even awaken some special ability.
Until the two finished talking, Wang Chenggang walked over, “Come, this guest, let me give you a professional explanation.”
Guan Shao calmly said, “No need, I just explained it to him. He can practice on his own when he goes back. By the way, don’t you have instructional videos over there? Make a copy for him.”
Wang Chenggang seemed like a duck with his throat pinched, making a painful “ga” sound. “Mr. Guan, even if you don’t act as a god of wealth, you can’t drive away customers.”
Now Jiang Rong felt embarrassed, “Then should I just get a short-term package?”
Wang Chenggang waved his hand quickly, “No need, no need. It’s not a big deal. Don’t worry about it. You’ve seen the situation in our gym. Just introduce a few more customers to us when you have the chance. You can also come and exercise anytime for free. Our equipment is free to use. Mr. Guan has been here recently, so you can ask him if you have any questions.”
While speaking, Wang Chenggang teased Guan Shao, who remained calm, as if Wang Chenggang was talking about someone else.
Normally, Jiang Rong would have readily agreed, but who would come specifically for fitness after the Great Crisis? The more enthusiastic Wang Chenggang was, the more Jiang Rong felt guilty. After much thought, he secretly ordered some takeout for the gym staff using his phone.
Not long after Jiang Rong left, a delivery person carried a large box of takeout into the gym. Looking at the delicious food in the takeaway boxes, Wang Chenggang felt both happy and distressed, “Wow, braised pork, sweet and sour pork trotters. I didn’t expect the person Mr. Guan took a liking to would be such a heavy meat lover. If he eats all of this, won’t he gain three pounds?”
Guan Shao opened the takeaway box with lowered eyes, “Stop talking nonsense, he already has a child.”
Wang Chenggang nearly dropped his chopsticks, “Huh?”
Guan Shao took out the hefty pork elbow from the box. When Jiang Rong ordered takeout earlier, he saw the cute child on his phone screensaver. The child looked so much like Jiang Rong; they must be father and son.
Wang Chenggang sighed, “Ah, if I had known earlier, I would have signed him up for a membership card.”
This Title is available for faster chapter releases through paid Patreon membership. Any proceeds go to keeping the website running. Check it out HERE.
